IGSN: Partnering to Scale Operations
International Generic Sample Number Organization
2020-2021
IGSN is an international non-profit organization dedicated to implementing and promoting standard methods for identifying, citing, and locating physical research samples with confidence by operating an international sample identifier registration service.
Challenge
The IGSN user base was growing and the organization began a community consultation to identify options for scaling its services and operations. The question was whether to develop a new operational infrastructure or a partnership to manage some or all of this work. Either option required a rethink of the business model and staffing.
Solution
Mighty Red Barn worked with IGSN to define a strategy and business partnership model to scale from start-up to sustainable research infrastructure provider. We supported the IGSN 2040 community consultation process, including online whiteboard sessions and scenario planning to clarify priorities, explore scaling options, and identify potential partner organizations. We interviewed partners, prepared pitch decks, and iteratively developed governance and business models with their new partner DataCite, to help IGSN scale its samples registration service. This work was funded by a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (as was the DataCite transition work).
Deliverables
Facilitated Workshops, Joint Presentations at Professional Society Meetings, Scaling Options Paper, Partner Options Paper, Partner Pitch Deck, Business Model, Support for Board Presentations
Related Public Documents:
IGSN and DataCite Partnership Announcement PRESS RELEASE
Lehnert, K., Klump, J., Ramdeen, S., Wyborn, L., & Haak, L. (2021). IGSN 2040 Summary Report: Defining the Future of the IGSN as a Global Persistent Identifier for Material Samples. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5118289
